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The effect of chronic heat stress on cortisol levels in the antarctic fishPagothenia borchgrevinki

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Abstract

Radioimmunoassay was used to determine levels of the stress-inducible glucocorticoid, cortisol, circulating in the plasma of the extremely stenothermal Antarctic fishPagothenia borchgrevinki at rest and after heat stress. Fish sampled immediately after capture (−1.9°C) had low cortisol levels (10.4±1.4 ng ml−1, mean±SEM) as did fish which were laboratory rested for 3 days. Sudden exposure to 5°C (48h) resulted in a peak cortisol value after 3 h (69.9±6.8 ng ml−1) whereas exposure to 8°C (6h) resulted in a peak value after 1 h (73.5±8.0 ng ml−1). At both temperatures levels remained significantly elevated (p<0.05) for the entire period of exposure. Increased temperature also resulted in a significant change in haemoglobin, haematocrit and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p<0.05). Plasma lactate was significantly elevated only after exposure to 8°C (p<0.05). Plasma cortisol levels fromP. borchgrevinki are reported here for the first time and show this cryopelagic Antarctic species to have an unusual hormonal stress profile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    S. N. Ryan

  2. HortResearch, Mt Albert Research Centre, Private Bag 92169, Auckland, New Zealand

    S. N. Ryan

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Ryan, S.N. The effect of chronic heat stress on cortisol levels in the antarctic fishPagothenia borchgrevinki. Experientia 51, 768–774 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01922428

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01922428

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